EMPIRICAL RESEARCH METHODS (PG)
| SHE Level | 5 |
| SCQF Credit Points | 15.00 |
| ECTS Credit Points | 7.50 |
| Module Code | MMG212231 |
| Module Leader | n/a |
| School | Glasgow School for Business and Society |
| Subject | Sociology |
| Trimester |
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Summary of Content
The Course famliarises students with the main modes and techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, whereby research is pursued in the Social Sciences. All students to follow a central core element but can also develop an emphasis on those particular methods which are more relevant to their own interests or to the main disciplines they study.
Syllabus
The course syllabus (weeks 1-8) will cover:The scope of research methods in social sciences qualitative and quantitative approaches.Qualitative research methods: entering the field; analysis of documents; conduct of unstructured interviews; observer roles; coding qualitative matieral; writing up qualitative research. Ethical issues in Social Research.Survey methods: generating research questions, survey design - questionnaries and isssues of sampling , conduct of field work, analysis of surveys - tabulation, cross-tabulation, descriptive and inferential analyses, writing up survey reports.For the last 4 weeks students may choose between:a. Preparation of Research Proposal (for those interested in pursuing their own piece of research).b. Secondary Analysis: Archival sources and on-line acces to data for secondary analysis. Working with large data sets - census and government data sets.c. Experimental Design and Analysis: Principles and problems, use of analysis of variance, non-parametric tests.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course students should be able to:- Generate and clarify an appropriate research question/hypothesis. - Choose an approriate research design & method of data collection.- Draft & present a coherent research proposal.- Understand the differences between commonly used methods of analysis in social sciences - apply different techniques of analysis, interpret output and write up findings fully.
Teaching / Learning Strategy
Appropriate combination of Lectures, Seminars and Computing Lab.
Indicative Reading
Robson, C : Real World Research : Blackwell 1993Gray, C D & Kinnear, P R : SPSS for Macintosh Made Simple : Psychology Press 1998Gilbert, N (ed) (1993): Researching Social Life : Sage Nachmias, C & Nachmias D (1992) Research Methods in the Social Sciences : Edward Arnoldde Vaus, D 1990 : Surveys in Social Research : Unwin Hyman Hammersly, M (ed) (1993 : Social Research - Politics & Practice : SageDale, A (et al) (1988) : Doing Secondary Analysis :Unwin Hyman
Transferrable Skills
- basic facility with the widely used SPSS data analysis package- confidence in working in groups- skills in report writing both quantitative & qualitative
Module Structure
| Activity | Total Hours |
|---|---|
| Seminars (FT) | 24.00 |
| Assessment (FT) | 18.00 |
| Independent Learning (FT) | 60.00 |
| Lectures (FT) | 24.00 |
| Practicals (FT) | 24.00 |
Assessment Methods
| Component | Duration | Weighting | Threshold | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 0.00 | 25.00 | 45% | Statistical Assignment |
| Coursework | 0.00 | 25.00 | 45% | Statistical Assignment |
| Coursework | 0.00 | 25.00 | 45% | Statistical Assignment |
| Coursework | 0.00 | 25.00 | 45% | Statistical Assignment |
